Genealogy Chat

Thanks will give a try with Lincs record office. Even if they can't help might be able to tell me where to look. This is a real mystery to us. My grandfather never spoke a lot about growing up in England, except funny little stories. Definately did not appear to have much use for his father! Sue

Well, assuming he fathered all the kids, there is only a gap of about a year when he would have been away isnt there? So not a horrendous crime for then. Id contacted the local archives/record office, giving his name and the time span to see if the local papers pick anything up?

HI Heather, Yes I am absolutely positive is right person - have obit for Charles Wiliam, he died 1936 in Plymouth. Youngest child - Harold was my grandfather. His birth registered as Harold Thompson Hardy - took a VERY long time figure that one out, but I have the cert now and am positive is him. Grandpa used to joke his father was a stage coach robber - now we're not to sure if wasn't hiding truth in humour! I have looked for a birth for Harry Hardy given information on 1901c - no luck, have looked for a marriage between Harry Hardy & Mary Jane Richardson - again no luck. Children listed on 1901 census with Harry & Mary (figure he did this for a joke) names, ages match my grandfather's siblings exactly. 2 children born after 1901 census match my grandfather & sister exactly to dates of birth, place of birth provided to my mother by my grandfather. Am pretty positive whatever happened, it was in Lincolnshire - in Feb 1897 was in Grimsby. Will try googling, couldn't find anything on a2a If I don't seem to answer to quick, please be patient - I am head zoo keeper today. Sue

You could try National Archives site - they have some pics of victorian prisoners - or you could google or contact the local records office. I cant help asking are you absolutely sure about them being same family. May be someone would change a second name but a first? I cant concentrate to read all the above - no glasses to hand - but have you checked that the first guy didnt die and mary remarry? (Tip, when you have a lot of text - put just 'see below' in first box because it gets all jumbled up and a lot of us do have dodgey eyes. Then click add reply and you can paragraph it properly for people to read)

Think am looking for a criminal record but not 100% positive. As of Feb 1897 when 3 child born in Grimsby Lincolnshire my gr-grandparents were Charles William & Mary Jane Richardson (formerly Hardy). As of Nov 1899 when 4th child born in Andover Hampshire they were Harry & Mary Jane Hardy (formerly Richardson). On 1901 census they were Harry & Mary - In 1902 still Harry & Mary June 1905 - they were Charles William & Mary Jane Hardy (formerly Richardson). Still in Andover I have birth certficates for last 4 children verifying facts. I know Harry Hardy to be my Charles William Thompson. Sometime after 1905 the family moved to Plymouth and returned to using Thompson. - have found marriage records for 5 of the 6 children - all married using Thompson. So - whatever happened that caused him to change his name and move away from Lincolnshire happened between Hilda's birth in 1897 & Ethel's birth in 1899. Know this long story but - can anyone suggest where I might look for records as to why the name change? Thanks Sue (confused in Canada)